So I encourage you, start right now believe God for more in your life and watch what He does! Perhaps our greatest obstacle in seeing the miraculous power of God is our own apathy. God in the flesh now entered the environment of a common fisherman. The disciples caught such an impressive number of fish that their nets began to break (Luke 5:6, N.I.V.). It is not for our glory or to fulfill our quest for adventure. In many churches the church school requires a major portion of the overall budget, yet its work is viewed as separate from the church itself. Launch out into the deep. When the whole church in united evangelistic action moves out into the deep by faith in God's authoritative mandate, Pentecost will return with astonishing splendor! Obedience to the Lords command in absolute faith is key to receiving that which His word has provided, notwithstanding our all night toiling. Peters decision and the resulting miracle reveal that a single act of obedience to Christs command can change the course of an entire life. "Put out into deep water and lower your nets for a catch." Jesus, St. Luke 5:4 "At the beginning of the new millennium, and at the close of the Great Jubilee during which we celebrated the two thousandth anniversary of the birth of Jesus and a new stage of the Church's journey begins, our hearts ring out with the words of Jesus when one day . To add Sues radio broadcast to your local station click here. It is the same thought that Zechariah expressed in his famous passage "Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord" (Zech. John 2:2425 tells us: But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men, andhe knew what was in man. Before we argue with Christ, we should try trusting Him! Chapter 2 What a commitment. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch. Christ calls us out of our depth. But it is fruitful. The people wanted to hear Him share the Words of God. Before Peter knew it, Jesus had stepped on his boat and charged him to put out a little from the land so that He could sit down and teach the crowd. Or even KNOWING you made the wrong, Excerpt taken from THE PRAYER LIFE OF JESUS: Developing Yours by Looking at His by Glenn Arekion., Whats the weather like where you live? The Lord says renew your vision, passion, single-mindedness. Only through HIS resurrection power is a life of abundance possible. Peter, as a fisherman knew that the right time to fish was at night. He also knew that you caught more fish in shallow water. Sermon of the Week. The fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. On this particular day, Jesus got into Peters boat, asking him to push offshore so He could speak to the multitudes from the boat. In todays accommodating culture, we are willing to dabble in service for the Lordwe may even wade out a bit further than the Christian next to usbut we insist on staying near the shore. He was to conquer all of the powers of darkness. The word "deep" in this imperative is descriptive of the exploding population yet to be reached by the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. Let's look at a few points: God is heard in deep and sincere prayer. Not only did they catch fish during the day in deep waters, they caught so many fish that their net was breaking and they had to get their partners to come and help them. Is preaching without teaching enough? Launch Out Into The Deep - Sherry Stahl Get a Soul H2O Devotional Book Sampler when signing up! The storm may be raging, but if you are where Christ has called you to be, and you are doing what he called you to do, he will bring you through. Yet, in actuality, that promised breakthrough may not materialize immediately as Gods timing is different than ours. And I am grateful God. Trust His Word. You have entered an incorrect email address! In deep prayer we hear Gods voice. When Sue arrived in the Dallas Metroplex, Sue was already being heard on popular Dallas Radio Station KCBI. No matter the case, when Christ releases you to Launch, your promise is waiting for you. . After a whole night of monotonous fishing with no results comes a new exciting action-packed day of over whelming productivity! Luke 5:4. Faith begins where mans power ends.. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, weve been toiling all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless, at thy word, I will let down the net. Youre great at carpentry, and youre a marvelous preacher, but how about we leave the fishing decisions to me? The passage clearly indicates that when the disciples had let down the nets into the deep as Christ had instructed, "they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. In the world today, there is great confusion, instability, fear, and uncertainty in people's hearts. He was constantly getting in the way, and, when the chips were down, he denied even knowing Jesus three times. 4Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. Jesus, really? We have access to His written Word, and we have the promises of His faithfulness to back us. When Christ releasedPeter to Launch, Peters season shifted. Cast again. But to launch out into the deep is to move away from the comfort of the shoreline. According to the Barna Group, a nationwide research organization, three out of four Christians in the United States(74%)1 will share their faith only through lifestyle evangelisman approach void of direct, verbal witness to the lost around them. There is no shortage of souls that need Christthe sea is wide open and ready. Simon answered, "Master, we've worked hard all . This is how Sue has felt as they have raised 6 children. God is a God of maximum capacity. God's blessings are always an extravagance! We launch satellites and spacecraft into space by putting them on rockets carrying tons of propellants. Whether youve toiled in your marriage, in school, in business, or on the job, trust God that success is waiting to meet and overtake you in the deep. When Simon Peter realized what had happened, he fell to his knees before Jesus and said, Oh, Lord, please leave meIm such a sinful man. For he was awestruck by the number of fish they had caught, as were the others with him. Like Peter, our response to Gods Word will either invite His blessing and power, or it will hinder it. "They signaled their partners." Its Time To Launch into Your Destiny: Your Toiling Season Is Over, Bob Marley Turned To Christ Before His Death Professing, Jesus Take Me, Jewish Woman Hears Gods Voice While Being Revived, Youre Not Dying Here. A launching out in faith because Jesus said so. We have the right to expect Gods blessing in our lives, but first, we have to maximize the full capacity of our faith. Initially, Peter responded to Jesus command like you and I would have donewith logic. Do you see what power these words have? And most of us dont want to leave our comfort zone. Launching out isnt about expanding our reputation or filling our ego. Just as the boat suddenly overflowed with fish, your life is destined to overflow with Gods blessings when you heed His instructions. He had just finished teaching the large crowd that had gathered at the Lake of Gennesaret. With over 25 years of marriage and ministry, Wayne and Sue have a heart help couples to build marriages that last. A working church is always a united church, and a united church is always a growing church (read Acts 2:42, 47, N.I.V., for a gripping confirmation of this assertion). It means you weigh anchor and set your sails to catch the wind. As we heed Christs commands, however, we will experience miracles made possible only by the hand of God. Do you wonder how God might bless your obedience? Jay Worrall, president of Helping Harvest, spoke Thursday to the Berks County commissioners during their operations meeting to update them on the big challenges the Spring Township-based food bank is experiencing. We are called to do our part (launch out and let down our nets), trusting God to do His part (bring a great catch of fish, which in our context means local ministries raised up as Great Commission Ministries around the world), reminding Him of His promise in these verses to do so. Peter was a superb craftsman at the profession of fishing. He nudged it away from the shore and listened as Jesus voice now projected across the Galilean Sea to the multitude on the bank. It was at this point that Peter knew he was not dealing with any ordinary rabbi. There's a harvest waiting for you! Notice that Christ commands us to "let down" for the catch. The Lord is telling us to go DEEPER to trust Him more so He can direct us to His coming harvest in our lives. If this article was a help to you, consider sharing it with your friends. Let us launch out into the deep and let down the evangelistic nets for an unprecedented catch of souls for the kingdom of God. Let us always remember that the basic priority of the church is aggressive evangelism. In today's devotion, by Karen S. Roberts, let's think about what it means to launch out in our own lives. Don't limit yourself by limiting God. It means to catch fish in such a way that they are still alive when brought to shore for sale. Launching out into the deep requires you go deeper in your faith, hope, and trust in God. What a dramatic change! God loves impossible odds. Peter didnt know it, but his choice in that moment would be the pivotal point for the rest of his life. Launch out into the deep. The phrase in this passage that grabs me every time I read it is Peters statement, At thy word, I will.. The story began with Peter and his fishing partners experiencing lack in their circumstances, but then suddenly they found themselves having more than enough! There are times in life Church that you to will need to launch out into the deep even when you don't feel like launching out. . God gave the clearance to Go and to launch out into the deep. But we have to trust Him with everything first we have to launch into the DEEP waters of our faith before He can bless us and transform our circumstances. He knew his workhe was a master fisherman. Continue Reading 10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Jesus is constantly calling us to launch out into deeper waters. It was slimy and smelly. . If you're a Christian and you want to follow God and obey him and make a difference in your life and see the power of God in your life there's a launching out that needs to happen first. Andrew, his brother, was a follower. But because you say so, I will let down the nets' " (Luke 5:5, N.I.V.). There is only one answer to this condition, and that is the spiritual discipline of service. It's time to wake up and make our dreams come true Time is always moving and it will not wait for you. "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught." Luke 5:4. This is the chain reaction of unified, collective soul winning. Launch out launch out into the deep. In the shallows, were often busy, and we generate a full array of programs. You will find many new features in it. Your email address will not be published. Read LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP by ANITA F MASON with a free trial. He had heard about Jesus and he was curious to know if the message and the messenger was real. Your email address will not be published. It was a life-changing encounter for Peter when he met Christ, as told in this passage. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Helpful. The divine directive "Launch out into the deep" has a ring of immediacy and urgency. From this moment forward, he would be a fisher of men. I am a beneficiary and an Almin of the School of Great Harvest and implimentng the same here in Kenya. Jesus finished His message and turned once again to Peter. Awakening and Mobilization Whats the Connection? But few are surrendered to launch out in response to Jesus command, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men (Matthew 4:19). "Launch out into the deep.". No real ministry will take place in your life or mine, until we, too, are willing to cross the threshold of humility. If you're a print subscriber, we'll complement your print copy of Ministry with an electronic version. This is Gods message for YOU today: You havent seen anything yet! Christ's mandate to "launch out into the deep" is a call for the whole church to set bigger and more daring evangelistic objectives. Peter complied and listened to Jesus teaching. even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. . This involves public evangelism, personal evangelism, lay evangelism, youth evangelism, pastoral evangelism, health evangelism, mass media evangelism, et cetera. When Christ releases you into a new season, He gives you specific direction and instruction for success. God speaks in accordance to His word. Letting down the nets was just as important. The same spot where Simon had spent the night catching nothing, boats were filled to the point of sinking. Dont get sidetracked with other focal points, but with laser focus stay the course.. * Jesus Calls Us Deeper When Jesus had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Now go out where it is deeper, and let down your nets to catch some fish." "Master," Simon replied, "we worked hard all last night and didn't catch a thing. Although we may complain about what we seem to lack, just like the early Christians, God assures us, ALL things are ours! and I will make you fishers of men' " (N.I.V.). Shalom! Launching into the deep involves counting all as loss, and giving in to what God has to say / reveal to you. It's a command. David Cerullo is the founder, chairman, and CEO of Inspiration Ministries, located in Indian Land, South Carolina a ministry dedicated to impacting people for Christ worldwide through media. For many times there is a blessing waiting in the deep waters. Temptation Is A Liar! In such times, we do well to remember the words of Jesus to a troubled father, Be not afraid, only believe (Mark 5:36). George Mller said it well: There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Take the promised land . ASV. Known for their transparency and honesty, Wayne and Sue have helped hundreds of couples find freedom and transformation in their own marriages. You may have toiled for years, perhaps decades, months or even days No matter how long youve beentoiling when God declares your Launch season is here, your toiling officially ends and your success begins. Just look at what Peter wrote to the early church: His divine power has given to us ALL things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises (2 Peter 1:3-4). How do I know He will bless me and cause me to live in victory? 4:19). CONNECTION POINT We've cast our nets in Haiti. If he was unsure about his life purpose before, he wasnt now. "Nevertheless at Your word I will" (Vs 5) 4. But under the direct command of Jesus, Peter turned from his logic and staked everything on Jesus word. Prayer Ask God for strength to leave the comfort of the old ways and old life and enter into the deep waters of faith and blessing. They were astonished at the catch of fish which they had taken (v. 9). In these end-times Christ is calling His modern disciples to "launch out into the deep, and let down" for the catch. Jesus told Simon to launch out into the deep and let his nets down for a catch. We dont merely limp along casually, faithful to the work, yet not really believing a breakthrough is coming. The third result of launching out into the deep is that extraordinary productivity produces extraordinary challenges. With statistics like these, is it any wonder that American Christians are stagnant and cold, with little spark of revival? They had fished all night and had caught nothing. Privacy Policy God is ready to break our nets with Pentecostal soul-winning results. Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. 4Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. With Global Leadership Development experience for a major Fortune 100 Financial Institution, he serves as Board Member for several Not For Profit organizations throughout Michigan and a mentor to many throughout the Corporate Arena, Faith Community and across the globe. In the language of Peter the church must confess, " 'Because you say so,'" we will launch out into the deep through faith and obedience, will trans form our hundreds into thousands and our thousands into hundreds of thousands. EDUCATION (Master Degree or Ph.D.) -Take difficult courses (more hours) -Change schools (better education) -Pay higher tuition c. HOME Ask the Lord what he wants you to do. ALL of His promises to you are Yes and Amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon [Peter], "Put out into the deep . From the 45 percent in 1991 who stated they read their Bible outside church to 37 percent in 2001, these numbers should serve as a splash of cold water to some fast-asleep Christians.3. Your success is attached to your obedience. On the contrary, Peters response was startling: He fell down at Jesus knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. Reality bites, and he has not held back in painting a picture of the world in both its light and shade. God is provoking us to expect fruit in faith to spring from our mission mobilization labors over these many years. His father was Jacob, the grandson of Abraham. Barrigada, GU 96921 Your success is attached to your obedience. These fishermen had no doubt had big catches over the years, but nothing like this. The GRACE Follow-On spacecraft . He is the One who orchestrates and undertakes to make a way for the fish to swim into the net. Sue and her husband Wayne lead a nonprofit called Life Bridge Today and attend Upperroom Dallas. Launch out into the deep. This is typical of the futility of human efforts without divine unction. A thorough submissiveness to God. They wanted to hear Him speak, and perhaps many of them had heard how he had been healing all . Likewise, in the book of Ephesians, Paul points out the incredible spiritual riches with which God blesses us: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ (Ephesians 1:3). That you've never been before. Luke 5:4. Those words are as relevant today as when Jesus spoke them to his disciples almost 2,000 years ago. It is a life of faith. Peters obedience to Christ wasnt the reckless abandon our culture lauds. You won't find them near the shore in shallow waters. First is the impressive catch. Friend, as this year continues to unfold, youll see that your Heavenly Father wants to multiply your blessings. They launch out into the deep: in rivers, lakes, streams, and the mighty ocean. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It was a well-known fact that in the Sea of Galilee, fishermen caught fish at night in the shallow waternot in full daylight in deep water. That means we have the authority to believe our Father for bigger and better things. That you've never been before. God is anxiously waiting to bring about a similar experience for His church today. Pastor James Ford Jr. has been the senior pastor of Christ Bible Church of Chicago, located on the south side of Chicago, Ill., for over 35 years. GMMI is setting a course to see the following broad, macro focal points implemented as initial steps of letting down our nets. There is more to the mobilization strategy the Spirit has given us, but these are priorities to get us moving in the right direction this year. See the Harvest: Launching a Movement of Local Evangelists. Can you imagine what life would be like if we launched into the deep, cast our nets and trusted God for more of His favor? The disciples discovered what God could do as they threw themselves into something beyond themselves. What a dramatic turnaround! Man-made evangelistic plans, impressive programs, clever techniques, incentives, and a highly programmed approach are sometimes in direct conflict with the leadership of the Holy Spirit. And this remarkable turn of events all happened because they dared to believe Jesus' instruction to "launch out" into deeper waters. When Peter launched out, he didnt leave his half-washed nets on the shore. LAUNCH OUT INTO THE DEEP. Master, we have toiled all the night and have taken nothing.. He had come to know and trust the efficacy of God's unfailing methods. Time's clock has struck the hour when the church must embark upon a new revolutionary Spirit-led soul-winning adventure of unprecedented magnitude. Its an end to all effort in futility in your life. In Luke 5:1-7 we find the account of Jesus teaching on Lake Gennesaret, and afterwards of the disciples launching out and letting down their nets for a draft of fish.. And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were . Would you like to catch a draught of fish? The storm may be raging, but if you are where Christ has called you to be, and you are doing what he called you to do, he will bring you through. We proclaim the Word to all cultures and generations by addressing today's issues from a biblical worldview. Simon was familiar with launching out and fishing in the deep but the last time he tried he caught nothing. Willing to assist Jesus, Peter left his net and resumed his seat in the fishing boat.
harvest of launching out into the deep